Michigan
Ohio State
U-M to Host Ohio State, Maryland in Big Ten Action
9/26/2017 12:14:00 PM | Volleyball
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This Week:
• U-M vs. Ohio State (Sept. 29, 8 p.m. -- Crisler Center): Big Ten Network | Live Stats
• U-M vs. Maryland (Sept. 30, 7 p.m. -- Cliff Keen Arena): Live Stats
• Complete Notes (PDF)
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 23-ranked University of Michigan volleyball team (10-4, 0-2 B1G) will host its Big Ten Conference home opener this weekend (Sept. 29-30). The Wolverines will first face off against (RV) Ohio State (9-4, 2-0 B1G) on Friday (Sept. 29) inside Crisler Center before returning to Cliff Keen Arena on Saturday (Sept. 30) and wrapping up the home swing with a match against Maryland (12-2, 1-1 B1G). Fans can tune in live to Friday's match on the Big Ten Network.
Michigan and the AVCA Poll
After going 0-2 last weekend with losses to then-No. 1 Minnesota and then-No. 5 Wisconsin, Michigan dropped three spots in the AVCA Poll this week and is now ranked 23rd. The Wolverines began the season ranked 16th in the preseason poll and have appeared in the poll every week this season. Michigan finished the 2016 campaign ranked No. 12 and captured multiple victories over ranked opponents, including home wins over Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State and Oregon.
The Big Ten and the AVCA Poll
Currently ranked No. 23, Michigan is one of seven Big Ten Conference teams represented in the AVCA Top-25 this week. Minnesota (T-3), Penn State (T-3), Wisconsin (7), and Nebraska (8) currently sit inside the top ten, while Michigan State (16) and Purdue (19) sit inside the top 20. Michigan (23) rounds out the group in the top-25, and Ohio State is receiving votes in the poll.
Wolverines at Home
Michigan's senior class has posted a 36-13 record at home over the last three seasons and will look to maintain its perfect record at home this year. The Wolverines are currently 6-0 when playing in Ann Arbor this season, and have only dropped one set during that time. Michigan ended its 2016 campaign with a 16-2 home record, and both losses came to teams ranked No. 1 in the AVCA poll at the time.
Up Next
Following this weekend's homestand, the Wolverines will hit the road for their first midweek match of the season with a Wednesday night contest at Iowa (Oct. 4). Michigan will then return home for a single match against Minnesota on Saturday (Oct. 7) before beginning a four-match road swing. [Tickets]
Scouting the Opposition
(RV) Ohio State (9-4, 2-0 B1G)
2016 Finish: Sweet 16
All-time record against: U-M trails 22-53
The Buckeyes will go into the weekend with a 9-4 overall record and a perfect 2-0 record in Big Ten play after defeating Maryland (Sept. 20) and upsetting Purdue (Sept. 23) last weekend. So far, Ohio State has dropped matches to No. 9 BYU, (RV) Missouri State, Notre Dame, and (RV) Western Kentucky, but is currently on a four-match win streak. The Buckeyes' freshman libero, Hannah Gruensfelder, currently leads the Big Ten with 4.76 digs per set, while the team ranks third in the conference and 14th in the nation with 14.42 kills per set.
Maryland (12-2, 1-1 B1G)
2016 Finish: 12th in Big Ten
All-time record against: U-M leads 6-0
Maryland will enter the weekend with an impressive 12-2 record along with a 1-1 record in Big Ten action. The Terrapins began the season with a 10-0 run before dropping their first match to then-No. 7 Washington. The Terps followed that match up with a loss to Ohio State (Sept. 20) before defeating Indiana (Sept. 23) in straight sets last weekend. Individually, senior middle blocker Hailey Murray leads the nation with a .512 hitting percentage, while freshman outside hitter Erika Pritchard leads the Big Ten and ranks second in the country with .64 service aces per set. Maryland currently ranks tied-for-sixth in the Big Ten with a .273 team hitting percentage, and fourth with 81 team service aces.
